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‘Scarred’ book brings Bayindeen fire stories to life

When the Bayindeen-Rocky Road fires tore through the Mount Cole region in February 2024, they left more than a blackened landscape, they left a tapestry of unique stories in need of being told.

25 Aug 2025 Incidents - Bushfire Incidents - Others Others People

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Ignite & Unite Program wraps up with Pomonal celebration

The Ignite & Unite Leadership Development Program has concluded with a celebratory event in Pomonal.

25 Jun 2025 Others Training and Recruitment

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Wind turbine fire kept crews busy overnight

CFA crews were kept busy last night (28 May) with a wind turbine fire at a wind farm in Great Western.

29 May 2025 Community Safety Health and Safety Incidents - Others Others

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The power of planned burns in the state's west

When we think about fighting a fire, images of firefighters spraying water on flames or helicopters dropping buckets of flame retardant often are the first to jump into our minds. But there is a vital ...

18 Feb 2025 Community Safety Incidents - Bushfire Operational Information

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Cousins reunite in Grampians fire fight

It was a bittersweet reunion for two firefighter cousins who crossed paths while battling the Western Victoria fires, with one lending a hand from ACT and the other a local to the region.

13 Feb 2025 Incidents - Bushfire Operational Information People

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Pomonal Fire Brigade recognised for brave efforts

Pomonal Fire Brigade was today recognised for the firefighting efforts of members during the recent Grampians fires and those last February.

27 Jan 2025 Honours and Awards Incidents - Bushfire

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Respected leader honoured with AFSM

Mark Gunning’s more than four decades of service to CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria and the broader fire and emergency services is testament to his commitment to the protection and wellbeing of all Vi ...

26 Jan 2025 Honours and Awards

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Fire restrictions announced in the northwest and west

The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will begin at 01.00am on Monday, November 4, for the following municipalities in CFA’s Northwest and West regions: 

25 Oct 2024 Community Safety Health and Safety Operational Information

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Hay season comes early in the west amid heightened fire risk

With hay season arriving early in western Victoria and parts of the state facing an increased fire risk this spring, CFA is urging farmers to take extra care to prevent haystack fires.

11 Oct 2024 Community Safety Incidents - Others Others People

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September Forum follows Pomonal recovery path

As CFA prepares for the upcoming summer, the September Volunteer Forum was broadcast from Pomonal where locals are still recovering from the February fires this year.

25 Sep 2024 Community Safety Health and Safety Operational Information

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Burn-off permits issued for farmers

CFA is preparing to issue a small number of Schedule 13 planned burn permits to farmers around Ballarat, Ararat and surrounds to help with farming practices in broadacre farming.

14 Mar 2024 Others

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Catastrophic Fire Danger for Wimmera - UPDATED

CFA is urging community members in the west of the state to be on high alert tomorrow (13 February) due to a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating in the Wimmera Region.

12 Feb 2024 Community Safety Incidents - Bushfire Operational Information

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Burnbank Brigade Celebrates 80 Years

Burnbank Fire Brigade has marked its 80 year anniversary with an event to celebrate its history and contribution to the local community.

12 Feb 2024 Honours and Awards People

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Bernie Fradd stepping down after almost 40 years

District 16 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bernie Fradd is about to transition into retirement after almost 40 years in emergency service.

24 Jan 2024 Honours and Awards People

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Total Fire Ban for Mallee, Wimmera and Northern Country

A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country regions tomorrow, Wednesday, 13 December 2023.

12 Dec 2023 Others

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CFA reminds farmers of harvester safety precautions

Following the warmer, drier conditions experienced in spring, CFA is warning farmers to take care with their upcoming harvesting activities.

16 Nov 2023 Community Safety Health and Safety Incidents - Others Others

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Fire restrictions announced for Northern Grampians

The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will begin at 1.00am on Monday, 6 November for the Northern Grampians Shire.

20 Oct 2023 Community Safety Operational Information

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Former St Arnaud Captain honoured

A former Captain of St Arnaud Fire Brigade, the late Alan McGee, has been celebrated by having a CFA tanker named in his honour.

26 Jun 2023 Honours and Awards People

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West Region fireys awarded National Emergency Medals

Almost five hundred local volunteer firefighters and CFA staff members have been honoured with National Emergency Medals for their efforts in the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire crisis.

1 May 2023 Honours and Awards People

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Hang on, multi-agency crews to the rescue at Teddington Reservoir

It’s not every day that you are dispatched to retrieve a person hanging from a tree. Not to mention one that has been entangled since the previous afternoon.

12 Apr 2023 Incidents - Others Others

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Fire restrictions to end for Ballarat, Ararat and surrounds

The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will finish at 1.00am on Monday, 17 April in the following municipalities in CFA’s West Region:

11 Apr 2023 Operational Information

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Fire restrictions announced for CFA’s District 16

CFA has declared the Fire Danger Period for Northern Grampians, Ararat Rural City Council and Pyrenees Shire Council.

29 Nov 2022 Community Safety Operational Information

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West Region's Volunteer Sustainability Team come together

For the first time since the pandemic began, and after several false starts, the West Region Volunteer Sustainability Team finally came together. Over two days in early September the team regrouped, e ...

26 Sep 2022 Events / Fundraising / Offers Others People

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Multiagency plane crash exercise at Stawell Airbase

CFA volunteers recently joined other emergency service personnel from the Northern Grampians area for an airbase familiarisation tour and simulated plane crash exercise.

2 Aug 2022 Operational Information Training and Recruitment

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